>> governor romney, he's a good debater. i'm just okay. >> reporter: a new poll shows the president enjoys advantages going into this debate. 66% say his policies have favored the middle class, while 57% think romney's, instead, would favor the wealthy. but the campaign sees some liabilities, as well. the president can get peevish when challenged. >> you're likable enough, hillary. >> reporter: his debate prep team is studying bedates from the last 20 or so years, focusing on unforced, stylistic errors, such as al gores sighs. the president is also quite verbose. when i asked him a two-part question in august, his answer was -- >> on afghanistan. >> reporter: longer than 5 1/2 minutes. he's working to make answers crisper and more concise. obama aides say they see one of romney's key weaknesses, his reluctance to go into detail about his policies, for instance, he has not indicated what tax loopholes he would close to pay for his tax cuts. they hope he will be pressed for this. we go now to david muir traveling with the romn